Vaughan kidnapping arrest made with Durham Police help

A suspect wanted in connection with a woman’s kidnapping at the Vaughan Mills mall was arrested with help from Durham Regional Police.

York Region police say a woman was abducted from the mall’s parking lot around noon on Aug. 28. Multiple 911 callers reported four men approached her and forced her into the back of a blue four-door Honda Civic.

The men were armed with at least one gun, police believe. The car drove for a short while before the woman was able to escape. She suffered minor injuries while in the car.

The Civic, with the licence plate number AXJN 850, was stolen from Toronto on Aug. 20. It has since been recovered.

With help from Durham Police Project Attire investigators, York police identified a suspect on Sept. 5.

The ongoing project targets car theft in the Region amid record rates of carjackings.

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Johnathon Hewston-Bharat, 19, of Toronto, is facing a number of charges, including kidnapping with a firearm, breaching a court order and possession of property obtained by crime.

Hewston-Bharat was already on a release order and banned from having a weapon.

Three other suspects remain at large. Police describe all three as Black men with thin builds. They were wearing black clothes, black medical masks and gloves.

“Investigators continue to appeal for any witnesses to come forward. It is believed that several witnesses were present and filmed the incident,” York Police said, “Officers would like to speak with anyone who may have video surveillance or dashcam footage in the area at the time of the incident.”

Anyone with information can call York Police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.